leadaddict
Member
My oldest child will be 9 this year. He's always been familiar with my going out shooting and hunting and has gone with me to do both at various times. Last summer was the first time he really showed a great interest in doing some shooting or hunting himself though. Needless to say I was very pleased!!! I never pushed him into it, I figured he'd let me know when he was ready. Well, he's ready.
He's been shooing a single shot .22 rifle a lot. He's also shot my Mark III pistol a little and is a great shot with his airsoft 1911. (I've had him treat it like a real gun to build his confidence with pistol handling and safety.) He has great concentration and shoots very well.
My questions are about deer hunting though. I know he'd want to hunt his own deer. He's never been with me when I've actually shot one yet though. He has helped skin a few of them though.
First, in a shotgun state like Iowa, what's the best gun for him? I know there's some youth sized 20GA out there, mostly single shot. But if it is light enough for him to handle it's going to kick like a mule while shooting a slug! Would a light muzzleloader be a better option? He's not experienced any real recoil yet.
Secondly, I've thought about making him wait another year and put in some more time in the field with me while I shoot one to learn more before he actually shoots his own. I want him to earn it. Not just have him pull the trigger and me do all the work. How much do you have a 9 or 10 year old do? Do you have them gut their own deer? He also might be better able to handle the larger gun and recoil better in another year.
This is my biggest complaint with states like Iowa that don't allow centerfire. My options are limited as to what gun to get him started on for deer.
I didn't grow up hunting, but started in my early 20's (now in my late 20's). Any advice or experiences you have to share would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Greg
He's been shooing a single shot .22 rifle a lot. He's also shot my Mark III pistol a little and is a great shot with his airsoft 1911. (I've had him treat it like a real gun to build his confidence with pistol handling and safety.) He has great concentration and shoots very well.
My questions are about deer hunting though. I know he'd want to hunt his own deer. He's never been with me when I've actually shot one yet though. He has helped skin a few of them though.
First, in a shotgun state like Iowa, what's the best gun for him? I know there's some youth sized 20GA out there, mostly single shot. But if it is light enough for him to handle it's going to kick like a mule while shooting a slug! Would a light muzzleloader be a better option? He's not experienced any real recoil yet.
Secondly, I've thought about making him wait another year and put in some more time in the field with me while I shoot one to learn more before he actually shoots his own. I want him to earn it. Not just have him pull the trigger and me do all the work. How much do you have a 9 or 10 year old do? Do you have them gut their own deer? He also might be better able to handle the larger gun and recoil better in another year.
This is my biggest complaint with states like Iowa that don't allow centerfire. My options are limited as to what gun to get him started on for deer.
I didn't grow up hunting, but started in my early 20's (now in my late 20's). Any advice or experiences you have to share would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Greg